Important Areas
Church Staff
Dr. Michael Lewis - Senior Pastor
pastor@ghbc.org | ext. 311
Dr. Lewis is Senior Pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church. After growing up in southeast Georgia, he attended Columbia International University. It was there he met his wife, Liliana. They have been blessed with three lovely daughters. After graduation from the University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Pastoral Ministries and Bible, Pastor Lewis went on to receive a master's degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. In May of 2005 he received the degree of Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia. He began in the pastorate at age twenty-one and served at Crestview Baptist Church in Lancaster, South Carolina, as well as First Baptist Church in Richmond Hill, Georgia, before coming to Great Hills.
Dr. Lewis currently serves on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, the Southern Baptist Convention Committee on Committees and the Southern Baptists of Texas Committee on Order of Business. He is a committed teacher/preacher of God's Word and both he and Liliana have a passion for leading people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He is a dynamic leader of the FAITH Bible Life Evangelism Strategy at Great Hills making weekly visits to homes in the area. He is seen weekly on KVUE 24 TV-Austin, cable channel 3.
Brian Brunson - Minister of Counseling & Young Singles
bbrunson@ghbc.org | ext. 642
Brian serves as Minister of Counseling and Young Singles. Brian has a passion for seeing people draw near to God through discipleship and counseling. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Bible and Family Ministry with an emphasis of counseling from Manhattan Christian College and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He loves hanging out with his wife and three boys. He also enjoys camping, hiking, rappelling, and people that can do John Madden impressions.
Alfred Burgess - Minister to Students
aburgess@ghbc.org | ext. 622
Alfred, Minister to Students at Great Hills, claims Romans 1:16 as his life verse: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes….” Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Alfred grew up in El Dorado, Arkansas. He attended Liberty University and received his Bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry, with minors in Music, Business, and Missions. Alfred also received a Master of Arts Religion degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Leadership. He and his wife, Maranatha, have two sons, Barrett and Brock. Alfred’s hobbies include golf, shopping and electronics.
Ademir Simoes Ferreira - Minister to Brazilians & Hispanics
asimoes@ghbc.org | ext. 406
As Minister of Latin Ministries, Ademir provides ministerial leadership for the Brazilian and Hispanic membership of Great Hills Baptist Church. This ministry involves conducting discipleship classes, translation services, pastoral care and counseling, as well as worship activities for this segment of the body of believers at Great Hills. Ademir holds a BA degree in Business Administration from ESAN University, São Paulo, Brazil, and an MS in Theology from Baptist Seminary of Brazil. Ademir is married to Eliane and they have three children and seven grandchildren. His hobbies include collecting model cars, table tennis and good movies.
Chad Hampton - Associate Minister to Students
champton@ghbc.org | ext. 622
Chad serves as Associate Minister to Students here at Great Hills. His responsibilities include assisting the Student Minister in implementing ministry programs for our 6th - 12th grade students, teaching/speaking as needed within the student ministry, and helping develop effective ways to implement parents in the student ministry. Chad and his wife, Britney, wed in June of 2006, and they have a son, Cooper, and a hyper Boston Terrier named Lola. Chad received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chad's hobbies include spending time with Britney, watching sports, playing golf, anything involving the Mississippi State bulldogs, and hanging out with students. Chad joined the Great Hills team in March of 2006.
Ross Hartsfield - Senior Associate Minister of Music
rhartsfield@ghbc.org | ext. 342
Ross is Senior Associate Minister of Music and in that capacity he is Director of the Great Hills Performing Arts Center; coordinator for the Partners in Prayer Intercessory Prayer Ministry; vocal ensemble director for senior adult choir, high school ensemble and middle-school choir; as well as overseeing the Children's Choir Ministry. Ross completed his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and also has a Master's Degree in Music Education from HSU. He and wife, Tonya, have three children. His favorite pastime is spending time with his family.
Russell Hartsfield - Minister of Media
russellhartsfield@ghbc.org | ext. 262
As Minister of Media, Russell's responsibilities include Television/Broadcast Ministry, Telephone Ministry, Sound and Lighting Systems, Graphic Design/Art, Media Distribution, Photography, and the GHBC Website. He is a native of west Texas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications from Texas Tech University. He and his wife, Susan, have been married for 25+ years. They are the proud parents of three wonderful children who are growing and maturing into young adults. His leisure time includes walking, biking, and photography.
Trexa Hilderbrand - Director of Preschool/K Ministries
thilderbrand@ghbc.org | ext. 702
Trexa Hilderbrand has been Director of Preschool/Kindergarten Ministries at Great Hills Baptist Church for the past 27 years. Trexa, as well as her husband, Richard, are both natives of Austin. After accepting Jesus as her Personal Savior, Trexa felt a definite calling from the Lord to serve young children and their families. Trexa has been married to Richard for 37 years and have two daughters. Trexa was educated at Texas State University and The University of Texas with emphasis in Early Childhood Development. Trexa has a passion for working with young parents and their children and keeps a "constant vision and committment" for partnering with parents as they lay a firm spiritual foundation during a child's formative years so that when he is older he will be anxious to accept Christ as his Personal Savior.
Danny Lacey - Associate Minister of Music
dlacey@ghbc.org | ext. 342
Danny is Associate Minister of Music and is responsible for leading worship at Great Hills Life-Connection Worship Service at 11:00 AM on Sunday mornings. He directs the modern band and singers in preparation for this service. Danny is also responsible for leading our creative planning team in developing ideas for our worship services. He enjoys writing and recording songs for worship. Danny completed his Bachelor's degree in Music at Texas Tech University. He and his wife, Rachel, have two boys. Danny enjoys spending free time with his wife and boys and doing as much bass fishing as possible.
Mark Matthews - Senior Pastor / Spiritual Development
mmatthews@ghbc.org | ext. 211
Mark serves as the Senior Pastor of Spiritual Development for Great Hills. His responsibilities include overseeing the Bible Life Ministry for preschool, children, students, and adults, leading our median married adults ministry, and the New Christian & New Members ministry. Mark was a Corporate Sales Trainer with Zig Ziglar before surrendering to full-time church ministry. Mark earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Education from Baylor University. Mark and his wife, Gena, have been married for 10+ years and have two beautiful children, Brittney Grace and Joshua. Prior to coming to Great Hills, Mark served on staff at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. Mark’s hobbies include anything to do with the Dallas Cowboys, participating in any and all sports, reading, drinking Starbucks coffee, and any opportunity to teach the Word of God. Mark joined the Great Hills family in August 2007.
Mike Mericle - Senior Pastor Administration
mmericle@ghbc.org | ext. 402
Mike Mericle serves as Senior Pastor of Administration at Great Hills Baptist Church. WIth this position comes the responsibility of overseeing the business administration of the church and of implementing the Acts 1:8 Mission Strategy. Before God called him into the ministry, Mike's background was in business and government. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a diploma in Pastoral Studies from Austin Baptist Theological School. Mike and his wife, Claudia, have two children and three grandchildren. He enjoys cycling and golf.
Kyle Miller - Executive Pastor
kmiller@ghbc.org | ext. 316 www.kylemillerblog.blogspot.com
Kyle is Executive Pastor at Great Hills Baptist. Kyle is an LPC/LMFT (Licensed Professional Counselor/Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and Approved Supervisor with 21 years experience in biblical counseling. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling, and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, all from the University of Texas at Austin. He and wife Terri have four children. Kyle grew up as a missionary kid in Asia. He enjoys playing and coaching basketball and cross country. He is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do who also enjoys rock climbing and marathon running. His current writing projects include a book on Jesus, gluons, dark matter, and cosmology. Kyle loves to share Jesus' grace, wisdom and joy with people through relationships, counseling, teaching and writing.
Tim Moore - Director of Missions & Singles
tmoore@ghbc.org | ext. 662
Tim Moore is Director of Single Adults, Missions, Outreach, Men's Ministry, and Women's Ministry. His main responsibilities are to meet a diverse group of male and female single adults right where they are in life and make a credible offer of saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. He also strives to help, support and share himself through our extended church family of caring Christians--to learn to laugh, cry, pray and play together and encourage others to come be a part of a loving a supportive community of believers where Jesus Christ is Lord. Tim was educated at Texas Tech University in speech communication and political science. He is married to Connie and they have one child and one grandchild. His hobbies include studying the Bible, reading, public speaking, leadership development for secondary students as well as training community leaders for political advocacy.
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Bill Muench - Minister to Married Adults
bmuench@ghbc.org | ext. 422
Bill is Minister to Married Adults at GHBC and has a passion for connecting far-from-God people to a real and authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. Bill and his wife, Debbie, also love “doing life” with other young married couples and families here in Austin. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Edward’s University and a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Bill and Debbie have been married for 13 years and have three awesome dudes. Bill eats and breathes Texas Longhorn sports and any sports team from Houston. He also enjoys working out, eating at Chuy’s and eating almond M&M’s while he watches The Biggest Loser on TV.
Harold O'Chester - Pastor Emeritus
Long-time, beloved pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church, Dr. O'Chester now holds the title of Pastor Emeritus. "Preacher," as he is lovingly known to the church family, serves now as an encourager and supporter of Pastor Lewis. He is also available to lead revivals, Bible conferences and couples' retreats with his wife Barbara. Dr. O'Chester holds a BA degree from Mississippi College, a Master of Divinity Degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Divinity from California Graduate School of Theology. Preacher and Barbara have three children and five grandchildren. He enjoys preaching, golf and travel.
Glenn Rogers - Minister to Senior Adults
grogers@ghbc.org | ext. 600
Glenn serves as Minister to Senior Adults at Great Hills Baptist Church. His responsibilities include ministering to the Senior Adults (Trendsetters), as well as being responsible for the GHBC benevolence ministry and outreach to retirement centers in our community. Glenn has associate degrees in Accounting and Meteorology as well as a certificate in counseling. He enjoys gardening, golf and history. He is married to JoAnn and they have two children and six grandchildren.
John R. Sorrell - Minister to Children
john@ghbc.org | ext. 722
As Minister to Children, John is responsible for overseeing all areas of the Children's Ministry at Great Hills. This includes Sunday School, Children's Church, AWANA, FAITH for Kids, Kidz Quest, Vacation Bible School, summer camps, the Austin Fall Fest and much more. John holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology from Howard Payne University. He completed graduate work at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently working on a Masters of Religion from Liberty Theological Seminary. John enjoys reading, golf, fly-fishing, skiing and all athletics at the University of Texas. During seminary, he served on staff at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to that, he served as an associate in the Children's Ministry at Great Hills for five years. John is married to Valerie.